Private Hire Vehicle Licences

Private Hire Vehicle Licences are issued by Basildon Council. Applications must be made in writing.

How to Apply

You can call in to the Council's town centre offices in St Martin's Square, Basildon, where you will be given the necessary forms and advice by a member of the licensing staff. Alternatively, you can telephone 01268 206925 and request the necessary forms be posted to your address, or download an application form from the 'Related Downloads' section of this page.

Returning Your Completed Application And Other Required Documents

Please Do Not Post Your Completed Application Form To The Licensing Office

We will need to see you in person when you hand in your application and all of the necessary additional documents mentioned below.

We will also need to see:

the vehicle registration document (log book)

a bill of sale

an MoT certificate (if applicable)

insurance cover for hire and reward

A vehicle licence will not be issued until valid insurance cover for hire and reward has been seen.

Private Hire Vehicle Inspections

The Licensing Office will need to check that your vehicle meets licensing conditions in all respects.

It will need to pass an examination at the Council Depot. You will need to contact the licensing office to arrange for an inspection. These inspections can usually be arranged within a few days of your application.

Basildon Borough Council will not be liable if you purchase a vehicle which cannot be licensed because it does not meet the pre-licensing conditions.

If you have any doubts about whether your particular vehicle is acceptable, contact the Licensing Office on 01268 206925 who can usually arrange to look at it before you make a decision.

Licensing a 'people carrier'.

Providing the vehicle meets Council pre-licensing conditions we will consider it for licensing.

Please note that there are strict rules regarding seating arrangements for such vehicles.

These are set out in the licensing conditions.

Using your own car for private hire work.

You can use your own car for private hire work provided the car is licensed as a private hire vehicle and you hold a valid private hire driver's licence issued by the Council that licenses the vehicle.

IMPORTANT - Once your vehicle has been licensed it cannot be driven by anybody else unless they hold a private hire driver's licence.

This means that your spouse, partner or children will be unable to drive the vehicle at any time, even on holiday.

Vehicle Age Restrictions For Private Hire Work

If you want to licence a vehicle that carries up to 4 passengers, it must be under five years of age. At each subsequent re-licensing it must not be more than eight years of age.

If you want to licence a vehicle that carries between 5-8 passengers, it must be under five years of age. At each subsequent re-licensing it must not be more than ten years of age.

If you want to licence a wheelchair accessible private hire vehicle that carries up to 4 passengers, it must be under five years of age. At each subsequent re-licensing it must not be more than eight years of age.

If you want to licence a wheelchair accessible private hire vehicle that carried up to 8 passengers, it must be under five years of age. At each subsequent re-licensing it must not be more than 10 years of age.

If You Want To Work For Yourself You Must Have An Operators Licence

If you do not have a Private Hire Operator's Licence you can not start work for yourself in any private hire vehicle.

Even after you have licensed you car, if you want to work for yourself then you must hold a Private Hire Operator's Licence before accepting jobs such as airport runs, theatre, sports outings etc.